Samhain: Ancestors & Journeys
We honor our ancestors and explore stories of journeys, dreams, and family relationships.
Teaching Note: Hebrew patriarch stories are studied as literature alongside other cultural myths, finding common wisdom across traditions.
UU Principle Focus
2nd Principle: Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Ancestors & Remembrance
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Samhain honors those who came before. Who are your ancestors? What do you know about them?
📚 Language Arts
Family history - interview a family member. Write about an ancestor. Create a family tree
✖️ Math
Time - telling time, elapsed time. How long ago did ancestors live?
🌱 Science
Life cycles - birth, growth, death, renewal in nature
✏️ Form Drawing
Spiral forms - the cycle of life
🧶 Handwork
Create an ancestor altar with photos and mementos
📖 Story
Stories of your own ancestors
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Samhain honors ancestors when the veil between worlds is thin
Abrahamic:
All Saints Day remembers holy people who have died
Connection:
Both traditions set aside time to remember and honor the dead
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Day of the Dead for Kids
- Family History
Shows:
- Ancestry Stories
Audio:
- Stories About Grandparents
Week 2: Abraham & Sarah's Journey
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Abraham and Sarah left home for an unknown land. When have you had to be brave?
📚 Language Arts
Read Abraham's journey as literature. Write about a time you tried something new
✖️ Math
Measurement - distance, miles. How far did Abraham travel?
🌱 Science
Desert ecosystems - where Abraham traveled
✏️ Form Drawing
Journey forms - winding paths
🧶 Handwork
Create a map of an imaginary journey
📖 Story
Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12 as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Many traditions honor wandering heroes who seek wisdom
Abrahamic:
Abraham leaves home trusting in a promise
Connection:
Both traditions value courage and faith in the unknown
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Abraham Story animated
- Desert Animals
Shows:
- Ancient Journeys
Audio:
- Bible Stories
Week 3: Jacob & Esau - Sibling Stories
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Jacob and Esau were very different brothers. How are you different from your siblings?
📚 Language Arts
Read Jacob and Esau as literature. Compare/contrast characters. Write about sibling differences
✖️ Math
Comparing numbers - greater than, less than. Esau's birthright
🌱 Science
Twins in nature - how twins develop
✏️ Form Drawing
Mirror forms - twins, opposites
🧶 Handwork
Create twin dolls or figures
📖 Story
Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-27 as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Celtic stories feature twins representing light and dark
Abrahamic:
Jacob and Esau struggle from birth, later reconcile
Connection:
Both traditions explore how opposites can find balance
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Jacob and Esau animated
- Twins in Nature
Shows:
- Sibling Relationships
Audio:
- Twin Stories
Week 4: Jacob's Ladder & Dreams
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Jacob dreamed of a ladder to heaven. What do your dreams tell you?
📚 Language Arts
Read Jacob's dream as literature. Keep a dream journal. Write about a meaningful dream
✖️ Math
Vertical measurement - how tall is a ladder? Counting rungs
🌱 Science
Sleep and dreams - why do we dream?
✏️ Form Drawing
Ladder forms - vertical lines, rungs
🧶 Handwork
Build a small ladder from sticks
📖 Story
Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28 as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Shamanic traditions use dreams to travel between worlds
Abrahamic:
Jacob sees angels ascending and descending a ladder
Connection:
Both traditions see dreams as messages from beyond
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Jacob's Ladder animated
- Why We Dream
Shows:
- Dreams Explained
Audio:
- Dream Stories
Week 5: Samhain Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Samhain ritual - honor ancestors, release what no longer serves, welcome the dark half of year
📚 Language Arts
Write letters to ancestors. Share family stories. Create a memory book
✖️ Math
Review time and measurement. Calendar math - days until Yule
🌱 Science
Autumn changes - shorter days, animals preparing for winter
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a Samhain border with spirals and autumn forms
🧶 Handwork
Ancestor feast, candle lighting, memory crafts
📖 Story
Share ancestor stories
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Samhain feast includes a place set for ancestors (dumb supper)
Abrahamic:
All Souls Day prayers for the faithful departed
Connection:
Both traditions share meals and prayers honoring the dead
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Samhain Traditions
- Day of the Dead
Shows:
- Halloween History
Audio:
- Spooky Stories (age-appropriate)
🎃 Samhain Celebration
- 🟡 Create an ancestor altar with photos and mementos
- 🟡 Host a "dumb supper" - silent meal honoring ancestors
- 🟡 Carve pumpkins or turnips
- 🟡 Share family stories and memories
- 🟡 Light candles for those who have passed